PRESS RELEASE: 14 Year Old Pilot A Success!! Solos Both Helicopter and Airplane on Same Day!!
June 28th, 2006 Posted in Press
14-Year Old Helicopter Pilot A Success!!
Solos Both Helicopter and Airplane On Same Day
Breaking Two World Records
Youngest Person to Solo Both a Helicopter & Airplane on Same Day
Youngest African-American to Solo a Helicopter
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA–Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum is proud to announce that Jonathan Strickland successfully solo piloted both an airplane and helicopter today (June 28, 2006) making him the youngest person in history to achieve such a feat. His success also gained Jonathan, a second world record, the youngest African-American to solo a helicopter. Upon landing, Jonathan was doused with buckets of water by fellow pilots, an apparent tradition in the aviation community, as his instructor and mentor Robin Petgrave, and members of the press recorded the moment.
Jonathan, who traveled to Canada to fulfill his dream to solo at the age of 14 in Canada versus 16 in America, first successfully flew solo a Cessna-172 airplane, performing four fly-bys at approximately 12:40 PM PST over the skies of the Pacific Flying School located at the Boundary Bay Airport in Delta, British Columbia. Jonathan then transferred to Heli-College, located twenty minutes away at Langley Airport, where he successfully flew solo a Robinson R22 helicopter at approximately 3:17 PM PST, demonstrating his piloting skills in the helicopter by executing a full approach to a hover, a traffic pattern, landing, and take-offs.
To quality to fly solo in Canada, Jonathan had to pass a medical examination and P-Star written tests. He passed the airplane test of fifty questions with a ninety percent, and the helicopter test consisting of two hundred questions with a ninety three percent.
Jonathan will begin his return journey back to the United States on Thursday, June 29th and will stop for fuel in several locations on his journey back most probably Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento, California.
Jonathan is scheduled to land home to a hero’s welcome and greeting by his mentors, the Los Angeles Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at 11 AM PST at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum located at the Compton/Woodley Airport in Compton, California. Upon landing, Jonathan will receive a third world record as the youngest African-American to pilot a helicopter roundtrip internationally. An Open House for the community will be held from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the museum.
Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum is located at 961 W. Alondra Boulevard in Compton, California 90222, 310-618-115, tamusem.org. For questions and inquiries, please contact Cynthia Macon, 310-940-8801 or Mmacon1960@aol.com. For the latest update on flight times or to speak with Jonathan Strickland, contact the museum’s Executive Director Robin Petgrave, who is accompanying Jonathan on his trip, at 310-938-2727.
